Online Store of the Week: Pili Beauty

Combining nature and science, Pili Beauty is bringing eco-friendly, sustainable beauty back with a modern twist. What started as a project for helping local farmers in Bicol has become the newest homegrown brand to watch out for, thanks to a not-so-secret secret ingredient: pili oil. Read on as we chat with Mary Jane Ong, COO of Pili Beauty, about the brand's origins, vision, and skin-loving products.

How did Pili Beauty start?

"10 years ago, Mrs. Rosalina Tan (founder of Pili and staunch organic advocate) was approached by a farmer and was sold a bottle of hand-pressed pili oil. She wanted to help the local farmers so she bought the oils without knowing what to do with it. Soon after, we found ourselves with a warehouse full of oils. That's when we decided to come up with different uses for it.

"Before coming up with our products, we [conducted] countless research, development, and clinical tests to prove and document the moisturizing properties of pili oil. We produced a couple of products such as body lotions, soap, essential oil kits and lipstick then sent it to UP, DOST, local accredited doctors for skin tests, as well as laboratories in Singapore and the US to substantiate our claims.

"Fast forward to today, we are continuously expanding our line to include more beauty and personal care products."

What is the brand's beauty philosophy?

"We believe that all our needs can be provided by nature. Our products are made with natural ingredients manufactured in an eco-friendly and sustainable way by local farmers who preserve and protect the environment where the trees thrive in."

IMAGE Gab Gutierrez

Tinted Lip Balm, P340; Hand & Body Lotion, P390

Why choose pili oil as the star ingredient of the brand? How different is it from the more popular oils out there?

"Pili oil has all the rich moisturizing properties of other famous oils like argan oil. It is also rich in natural anti-oxidants that help fight against daily pollution on our skin. We blend it with elemi oil which comes from the bark of the pili tree and has anti-bacterial and firming properties. We believe this makes our oil unique from all other oils available in the market."

Can you tell us more about the products?

"We partner with local farmers who take care of the pili trees and harvest the fruits for us. Our team of scientists then create and formulate products using the oils and other natural ingredients."

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IMAGE Gab Gutierrez

Hair Serum, P1000

What have been Pili's best-selling products so far? And, which ones are the must-try's?

"Our bestsellers include the essential oil blends and lipsticks. We believe in the power of aromatherapy and our blends are formulated to help achieve mind and body wellness.

"Our lipsticks are definitely a must-try! It comes in matte and satin but we formulated them to be moisturizing and long-wearing. They have great color pay off and are buildable without being drying."

IMAGE Gab Gutierrez

All Natural & Essential Oil, P235; Satin Lipstick, P895

What should we expect from Pili in the future? Anything exciting?

"Besides expanding our line of beauty and personal care products, we recently launched our luxury skin care line Pili Ani, which will be exclusively sold in the US and Canada. We garnered a lot of attention and interests from upscale stores in the US. This line is different from Pili Beauty as it is more centered on skin care.